Education

Research Description

Dr. Kim's research interests are in pavement design and rehabilitation, bituminous materials, pavement preservation, nondestructive evaluation of pavements, and performance modeling.

Honors and Awards

• Kimley-Horn Faculty Award, 1992
• Walter J. Emmons Best Paper Award by the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists , 1997
• The ALCOA Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award , 1998
• Distinguished Research Fellowship by the Korean Science and Engineering Foundation , 2003
• Special Contribution Appreciation Award by the Korean Society of Pavement Engineers , 2004
• Walter J. Emmons Best Paper Award by the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists , 2006
• Walter J. Emmons Best Paper Award by the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists , 2009
• Elected Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers , 2011
• Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professorship Award , 2012
• Distinguished Alumni Award, Civil Engineering Department, Seoul National University, Korea , 2014
• Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award , 2014
• The ALCOA Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award , 2015
• Elected Fellow of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, 2015
• Elected inaugural member of the Research Leadership Academy at NC State University , 2016
• Changjiang Scholar Award by the Ministry of Education, China, 2016
• The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Extension, 2018
• Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence Award , 2019

Publications

A dissipated pseudo strain energy-based failure criterion for thermal cracking and its verification using thermal stress restrained specimen tests

Keshavarzi, B., & Kim, Y. R. (2020), CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS, 233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117199

Asphalt pavement design optimisation: a case study using viscoelastic continuum damage theory

Bueno, L. D., Schuster, S. L., Specht, L. P., Pereira, D. da S., Nascimento, L. A. H., Kim, Y. R., & Brenner, M. G. B. (2020), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAVEMENT ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2020.1788030

Development of a fatigue index parameter, S-app, for asphalt mixes using viscoelastic continuum damage theory

Wang, Y. D., Underwood, B. S., & Kim, Y. R. (2020), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAVEMENT ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2020.1751844

Development of environmentally friendly flame retardant to achieve low flammability for asphalt binder used in tunnel pavements

Sheng, Y., Wu, Y., Yan, Y., Jia, H., Qiao, Y., Underwood, B. S., … Kim, Y. R. (2020), JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120487

Uncertainty Quantification of Simplified Viscoelastic Continuum Damage Fatigue Model using the Bayesian Inference-Based Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method

Ding, J., Wang, Y. D., Gulzar, S., Kim, Y. R., & Underwood, B. S. (2020), TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198120910149

Construction quality acceptance performance-related specifications for chip seals

Adams, J., Castorena, C., & Kim, Y. R. (2019), JOURNAL OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING-ENGLISH EDITION, 6(4), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtte.2019.05.003

Damage assessment of asphalt concrete with composite additives at the FAM–coarse aggregate interfacial zone

Niu, D., Chen, H., Richard Kim, Y., Sheng, Y., Geng, J., Guan, B., … Yang, Z. (2019), Construction and Building Materials, 198, 587–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2018.11.272

Development of a Performance-Volumetric Relationship for Asphalt Mixtures

Wang, Y. D., Ghanbari, A., Underwood, B. S., & Kim, Y. R. (2019), TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD, 2673(6), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119845364

Development of a pseudo strain energy-based fatigue failure criterion for asphalt mixtures

Wang, Y., & Kim, Y. R. (2019), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAVEMENT ENGINEERING, 20(10), 1182–1192. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2017.1394100

Evaluation of Fatigue Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures Using Apparent Damage Capacity

Etheridge, R. A., Wang, Y. D., Kim, S. S., & Kim, Y. R. (2019), JOURNAL OF MATERIALS IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, 31(11). https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002870

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

TFRS 01: Quality Assurance (QA) Aspects of Performance Related Specifications (PRS)

National Academy of Sciences(4/15/20 - 8/13/22)

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TFRS 01: Quality Assurance (QA) Aspects of Performance Related Specifications (PRS)

Sponsor: National Academy of Sciences

Start Date: 4/15/20

End Date: 8/13/22

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop guidance to integrate the performance predictive capabilities of the PASSFlexTM software and its suite of tools (FlexPAVETM version 2.0, FlexMATTM, and FlexMIXTM) within a statistically sound QA system in a PRS framework. The research shall address: (a) the use of the cyclic fatigue Sapp and SSR allowable traffic for rutting (ATR) index test parameters, index thresholds, and acceptance limits in support of performance engineered mixture design (PEMD) approaches and to facilitate further implementation of the tests and performance predictions, (b) material selection and mixture design changes that can impact the test results (cyclic fatigue, SSR, and their index parameters) and trends associated with owner agency specified performance thresholds, and (c) the major elements of a QA system (per TRB E-Circular 235, Glossary of Transportation Construction Quality Assurance Terms (http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec235.pdf) and associated buyer/seller and payment risks.

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Small Scale Dynamic Modulus

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(3/11/20 - 8/23/22)

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Small Scale Dynamic Modulus

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 3/11/20

End Date: 8/23/22

Abstract

In this research study, NCSU will design, conduct, and provide recommendations relating to a two-phase ruggedness and interlaboratory study on a test method that has been identified as critical to asphalt pavement performance and design practice. AASHTO TP 132 (2019) Standard Method of Test for Determining the Dynamic Modulus for Asphalt Mixtures Using Small Specimens in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) has been developed, refined, and recently published as an AASHTO provisional standard; a statistically sound refinement procedure is needed to facilitate widespread adoption and implementation. Not only can this standard be used to obtain inputs to the AASHTO PavementME pavement structural analysis software, the standard is being used in ongoing FHWA efforts as part of a performance-related specification framework which seeks to increase pavement life through fundamental testing and predictive relationships. AASHTO TP 132 is of interest because of its fundamental nature, determination via the AMPT standardized equipment, and its ability to model and predict material performance over a wide range of loading and climate conditions a pavement may experience; resulting in better performing, safe, quiet, durable, long lasting asphalt roadways. Additionally, a draft practice for preparing small-scale specimens has been developed and published as AASHTO PP 99 (2019) Standard Method of Practice for Preparation of Small Cylindrical Performance Test Specimens Using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) and Field Cores. This draft practice is of significant interest to the asphalt materials community due to anticipated materials, time, and cost savings associated with preparing and evaluating smaller performance test. NCSU will carry out the following tasks. Task 1 – Develop final research plans and project schedule – The proposed plan will be revised based on feedback from the FHWA. Task 2 – Kickoff meeting – NCSU will meet with the project panel to review the statement of work and work plans. Task 3 – Perform work plan and document efforts – NCSU will carry out the approved work plan by following the appropriate ASTM standard test methods to develop a rugged test method. Task 4 – Ruggedness study presentations and webinar – NCSU will present the findings to targeted stakeholders. Task 5 – Publication ready final deliverables – the AASHTO standards will be revised into a final form. Task 6 – Revise work ILS work plan – NCSU will revise the original work plan from Task 1 based on findings from Tasks 3-5 for conducting the ILS study. Task 7 – Perform work plan and document efforts – NCSU will coordinate the ILS according to the approved work plan. This will include identifying participants, sending materials, and analyzing their results statistically. Task 8 – ILS study presentation and webinar – NCSU will present their findings to targeted stakeholders. Task 9 – Publication ready final deliverables – the AASHTO standards revised in Task 5 will be modified to include repeatability and reproducibility statements.

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TOPR for Performance Related Specifications Advances Quality Assurance for Pavements

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(8/02/18 - 8/01/20)

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TOPR for Performance Related Specifications Advances Quality Assurance for Pavements

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 8/02/18

End Date: 8/01/20

Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has fully supported Quality Assurance (QA) and advancing components of QA for many years. One of those components is Performance-Related Specifications (PRS). As the PRS efforts have advanced additional needs have been identified in order to complete an further advance the research further. This project will serve to further develop, improve, and validate the developed relationships for the PRS. A number of tasks will be completed in order to meet the following specific objectives: • Development of Level 1 Performance Engineered Mix Design (PEMD) method and threshold values for Level 2 PEMD index parameters • Performance testing for transfer functions to support PEMD for PRS • Comparison of Balance Mix Design (BMD) and PEMD testing for PRS • Advance in a collaborative approach for FLEXPave™ PRS models utilizing existing calibrations for AASHTOware Pavement ME™. • PRS training and shadow projects. • Coordination with existing PRS research for the development of a comprehensive written marketing plan. • Interim stakeholders PRS Status Meeting. • Under this task, the team shall create a system of tools including guidelines and sample specifications for agencies to transition from the traditional QA standard specifications to standard PRS.

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Development of Geosynthetic Pavement Interlayer Improvements

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/18 - 1/31/21)

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Development of Geosynthetic Pavement Interlayer Improvements

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/18

End Date: 1/31/21

Abstract

Although geosynthetics have been used in paving applications for well over fifty years, one area of critical need in North Carolina is the standardization of the materials themselves and their applications for actual pavements. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been working with the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) to develop a Special Provision for an improved geosynthetic pavement interlayer material and a distress chart to provide useful data for product selection. The main goal of this effort is to ensure that NCDOT engineers can choose appropriate geosynthetic pavement interlayer products for a specific application based on performance data. As part of this effort, the GMA has recently developed five standard categories of geosynthetic materials for pavement applications. Although these categories provide the NCDOT with a good foundation to build the Special Provision and the distress chart, further research is needed to identify a list of properties and performance criteria that products must meet in order to perform adequately for their intended function.

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Cylcic Fatigue test

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(9/28/17 - 12/26/20)

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Cylcic Fatigue test

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 9/28/17

End Date: 12/26/20

Abstract

AASHTO TP 107 enables the practical, mechanistic performance characterization of asphalt concrete using cyclic fatigue testing in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT). AASHTO TP 107 was initially developed for the use of 100-mm diameter specimens, which yield a single test specimen per gyratory sample. Recently, a modified version of AASHTO TP 107 was proposed for the testing of 38-mm diameter small specimens that improves the efficiency of specimen fabrication and enables the testing of field cores extracted from as-built pavement layers. The objective of the proposed research is to improve AASHTO TP 107 by conducting ruggedness and interlaboratory studies using both small and large specimens. The ruggedness evaluation will identify controllable experimental factors that significantly affect the test results and to establish limits for their control. The interlaboratory study will lead to precision statements that define the repeatability and reproducibility of small and large cyclic fatigue the test results.

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Development of a Tack Coat Quality Control Program for Mitigating Delamination in Asphalt Pavement Layers

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/17 - 6/30/20)

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Development of a Tack Coat Quality Control Program for Mitigating Delamination in Asphalt Pavement Layers

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/17

End Date: 6/30/20

Abstract

The importance of proper bonding at the asphalt concrete (AC) layer interface cannot be overemphasized when discussing the performance of AC pavements. A strong bond between the layers is critical to dissipate shear stress throughout the entire pavement structure. In contrast, insufficient bonding may cause slippage and debonding between the asphalt layers. To mitigate the debonding distress, the type, quantity, and quality of the tack coat materials that are applied between asphalt layers need to be addressed properly.

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Implementation of Shadow Performance-Related Specifications on an Asphalt Paving Project

NC Department of Transportation(11/01/16 - 12/31/19)

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Implementation of Shadow Performance-Related Specifications on an Asphalt Paving Project

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 11/01/16

End Date: 12/31/19

Abstract

This project will implement the performance-related specifications currently being developed by the PI from the FHWA project (557884) to a paving project in North Carolina. The PRS will be implemented as a shadow specification to evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of the testing program.

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Backcalculation of Dynamic Modulus from Falling Weight Deflectometer Data

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/16 - 6/15/20)

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Backcalculation of Dynamic Modulus from Falling Weight Deflectometer Data

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/16

End Date: 6/15/20

Abstract

The dynamic modulus (|E*|) is the main parameter that is used in modeling pavement responses in the Pavement ME Design program. Therefore, the rehabilitation design feature of the Pavement ME program requires the determination of the |E*| values of existing asphalt layers. The Pavement ME guide recommends three different approaches to determine the |E*| values of existing asphalt layers. The Level 1 and Level 2 approaches require the use of the Witczak’s predictive equation, which could result in up to 100 percent error. The Level 3 approach also has a high probability of yielding erroneous results because it is based on pavement condition survey data.

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Development of Small Specimen Geometry for Asphalt Mixture Performance Testing

National Academy of Sciences(1/01/15 - 6/30/17)

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Development of Small Specimen Geometry for Asphalt Mixture Performance Testing

Sponsor: National Academy of Sciences

Start Date: 1/01/15

End Date: 6/30/17

Abstract

The specific innovation to be developed is a small specimen geometry for uniaxial asphalt mixture dynamic modulus and direct tension fatigue testing in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT). Two small specimen geometries will be tried: a small cylindrical geometry consisting of 38mm diameter specimens with 100mm height and a small prismatic geometry 25mm thick, by 50mm wide, by 100mm tall. Both uniaxial cyclic, direct tension and monotonic direct tension (constant strain rate) testing for fatigue characterization will be considered. The small specimen geometry will allow for testing individual layers of as-built pavements, allowing for forensic investigations of field performance and performance-based construction quality assurance. In addition, use of small specimens can greatly improve laboratory prepared mixture testing efficiency by allowing for extraction of multiple small test specimens from a single gyratory sample. Fatigue performance evaluation will be facilitated by applying the Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (VECD) mechanics to fatigue test results.

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Chip Seal Construction Variability and Its Impact on Performance

NC Department of Transportation(8/16/14 - 8/15/17)

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Chip Seal Construction Variability and Its Impact on Performance

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/16/14

End Date: 8/15/17

Abstract

The review of the existing construction procedures and the discovery of inaccuracies with regard to the material rates applied in the field have revealed a clear need for significant improvement in the construction equipment and material application methods that are currently in use for the construction of chip seal surface treatments. Specifically, the existing construction methods do not allow for the accurate control of the emulsion application rates (EARs) and aggregate application rates (AARs) in the field construction. This problem of rate control can lead to construction variability that, in turn, leads to chip seal performance problems and also wastes critical NCDOT pavement preservation funding. The objectives of the proposed research are: (1) to identify the sources of construction and material variability in chip seal construction; (2) to determine the range of the variability and the impact of the variability on the performance of chip seals; (3) to identify those variables that have the most significant impact on chip seal performance; and (4) to identify methods to reduce the variability of these key variables and to test for performance. The proposed research will employ both field construction and sampling efforts as well as a laboratory experimental testing plan to identify and quantify the variability associated with chip seal construction.

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